Nozzle assembly for fire extinguishers



April 16, 1968 HUTHSING 3,378,207

NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Filed March 8, 1966 INVENTOR.CHARLES K. HUTHS HNG, JR.

A TTOENEVS United States Patent "ice 3,378,207 NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR FIREEXTINGUISHERS Charles K. Huthsing, Jr., 1685 Sheriner Road, Northbrook,Ill. 60062 Filed Mar. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 532,768 2 Claims. (Cl. 239-583)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dry powder fire extinguisher nozzle havinga central circular opening and a pair of opposing semicircular shapedside openings on diametrically opposite sides of the central opening andmerging into the central opening to be common therewith. These sideopenings extend axially in a direction parallel to the axis of thecentral opening a given distance and then terminate short of theinterior end of the central opening. The resulting structure functionsto create a generally flattened conically shaped spray of powder fromthe fire extinguisher particularly useful for smothering Class A fires.

The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher and moreparticularly relates to an improved nozzle construction designed for usewith dry chemical fire extinguishers of the portable type.

Although the invention will be described with respect to nozzles forfire extinguishers, it will be appreciated that the structuralimprovement of the nozzle may also be employed with other chemicalswhich are forced in dry or powdered form through openings or aperturesunder pressure, wherein the objectives sought are similar to thoserelated to nozzles for fire extinguishers.

One of the problems associated with dry chemical fire extinguisherconstructions is to provide a nozzle construction enabling the expellingof extinguishing powders therethrough so as to effectively smother orput out various types of fires. Fires are classified as Class A, ClassB, and Class C fires, depending upon how the fire is initiated and whatsubstance is burning. Recently, fire extinguishers have been designedwith appropriate extinguishing agents so that the extinguisher isadaptable to smothering or putting out all classes of fires. Problemshave occurred, however, particularly with respect to Class A or waterextinguishable fires, in using dry chemical or powder extinguishingagents, since the extinguishing agent is not susceptible of beingdirected in its expulsion from the nozzle to effectively smother thefire in accordance with underwriting requirements. Thus, the dry powderspray may not be of the proper geometric configuration; also, thevelocity may be so great so as to cause a draft and stir embers aroundor the like.

In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is toprovide a novel aperture in a fire extinguisher nozzle which willetfectively disperse the dry powder or chemical emitted therethrough ina manner so that the extinguisher nozzle is etfective and suitable foruse with Class A, Class B, and Class C fires.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel openingfor a nozzle designed for use with a dry chemical fire extinguisherwherein the nozzle opening will cause the extinguishing agents to spreadin a relatively fiat, cone-like configuration to effectively smother andput out Class A fires.

Another object is to provide a novel opening for a nozzle which willreduce the velocity of the expelled powder.

Still a further object is to provide an improved nozzle construction fora dry chemical fire extinguisher, wherein the nozzle opening may besimply and economically formed and yet wherein the nozzle opening willbe 3,378,207 Patented Apr. 16, 1968 uniquely adaptable to exhausting orexpelling pressurized fire extinguisher powders therethrough in a mannerto effectively smother or put out Class A fires as well as Class B andClass C fires.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention aregenerally achieved by providing an improved fire extinguisher nozzleassembly wherein the nozzle is defined at its outlet end by sidewallmeans defining a central cylindrical opening; valve means cooperatingwith the internal end of said opening; and, a pair of opposing circularopenings along a diameter of said central opening, said opposingcircular openings being characterized by a diameter less than one-halfthe diameter of said central opening and having a portion thereof commonto said central opening. The opposing openings extend substantially butonly partially through the tip end of the nozzle so as to not interferewith the function of the valve.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by reference to thedrawings showing merely an illustrative embodiment of the invention, andin which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partially in section, of an improved nozzleassembly according to the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevation-a1 view of the nozzle assemblyshown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a somewhatconventional nozzle construction including a body 10 having a threadedend 1 1. The threaded end 11 would normally be connected to a fireextinguisher hose or the like. A lever 12 is pivotably coupled at 13 tothe body 10 and designed to be actuated manually to open and close avalve stem 14 against the biasing action of a spring 15.

The valve stem 14 has formed on the outer end thereof a valve or seal.16. On its inner end, the valve stem is provided with an annular groove17 designed to cooperate with the lever 12 such that movement of thelever 12 will efiect axial movement of the valve stem 14 and valve 16.

Surrounding the valve stem 14 is a bushing 18 including an O-ring 19.The bushing 18 may he threaded into the body 10 and acts as a sealpreventing any escape of fire extinguishing agent past the inner end ofthe valve stem 14. If desired, a washer 20 may also he provided for thebushing 18 to cooperate therewith.

For the most part, the features heretofore described are not considerednew or novel except in combination with the improved nozzle opening tobe hereinafter described. As an important feature of the presentinvention, the outlet end or tip of the nozzle body 10 defines generallya nozzle opening 21 as more clearly seen in the view of FIGURE 2. Thenozzle opening 21 is formed, as stated, in the outlet end or tip end 22of the nozzle and has an inner seat portion 23 designed to cooperatewith the valve 16.

The opening 21 is itself defined by a central opening 24 having formedtherewith spaced-apart, opposing smaller arcuate openings 25. Thecentral opening 24 extends entirely through the tip end 22 to cooperatewith the seat portion 23 as heretofore stated. The side openings 25extend only partially but substantially through the tip end 22 of thenozzle to terminate as indicated at 26 in FIG- URE 1.

Preferably, in forming the nozzle opening 21, the openings 25 are firstdrilled in spaced apart disposition in a given plane; thereafter, thecentral opening is drilled in the manner shown so as to partiallyoverlap the spaced apart side openings 25. Preferably, the side openingsare of a diameter less than onehalf the diameter of the cen tral opening24.

It has been found that this type of construction results in a flow ofpowder through the outlet end of the nozzle opening 21 forming agenerally flat, conically shaped spray configuration of powder of lowvelocity which is particularly elfective to smother or put out Class Afires. In the past, only a single central opening was used; and althoughmany efforts have been made to modify the construction to obtain anozzle opening effective for Class A fires, this is the firstconstruction, to ap'plicants knowledge, which has effectively resultedin a nozzle opening construction suitable for extinguishing Class Atfires with dry powder, which nozzle opening is also satistfactory forClass B and Class C fires.

It will be appreciated that certain modifications and changes may bemade in the nozzle opening of the present invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, and such changes are deemedto fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. In a fire extinguisher nozzle designed for use with a dry powderfire extinguisher, a front end provided on said nozzle having a centralopening t-herethrough; valve means within said nozzle designed to closeoil the interior portion of said central opening when said nozzle is notbeing actuated; a pair of opposing circular side openings aligned on adiameter of said central opening and partial- -ly overlapping and beingcommon to said central opening, and said side openings extending axiallyinto the sidewalls of the outlet end of said nozzle and terminatingshort of said interior portion of said central opening, said sideopenings cooperating with said central opening to create a generallyflattened conically shaped spray emitting from said fire extinguisher,particularly effective to s'mother out Class A fires.

2. A fire extinguisher nozzle, according to claim 1, in which said sideopenings are characterized by a diameter less than one-half the diameterof said central opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,175 12/1937 Gustafsson239-601 X 2,138,300 11/1938 Gustafsson 239-601 X 2,208,850 7/ 1940 Mayer239-583 X 2,589,213 3/1952 Allen 239-5'83 X 2,781, 101 2/'1957 Allen239-583 X 3,088,522 '5/1963 Zellner 169-31 1,890,517 12/1932 Laengel169-31 1,958,044 5/1934 Hendricks 239-599 X 2,785,760 3/1957 Fleming eta1 169-3 1 M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner.

VAN C. WILKS, Assistant Examiner.

